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When it comes to taking care of your hair and improving the natural health of your locks, you can often get stuck in the spiraling world of hair care. With so many product choices and excruciatingly detailed hair care regimens, taking care of your hair can be a confusing task.
But the one thing that has remained unchanged in people’s hair care routine for hundreds of years now is oiling. Using hair oils is a well-accepted hair care practice that is widely practiced all around the world by men and women.
But a question that pops up very often is what hair oil to use. The two famous choices come down to olive oil and coconut oil.
Continue reading to decipher which oil works the best for you!
Which One Should You Choose for Your Hair: Olive Oil or Coconut Oil?
When deciding which one is better for your hair, consider these hair factors.
1. Hair type (dry versus oily hair)
Coconut oil can keep the moisture locked inside your hair. It is an excellent emollient that will moisturize and hydrate your hair. This property of coconut oil can make it good for nourishing dry hair. (1)
Olive oil can also be beneficial for all hair types. It promotes hair health and enhances shine because of its rich and nourishing chemical profile. (1)
2. Hair texture
Hair texture refers to the thickness of the strands. Some people have thicker and more coarse hair, such as those of African or Indian heritage, and some have much thinner and finer hair.
Your hair texture plays a very big role in deciding which hair oil is better for you.
According to experts, coconut oil can help a lot with maintaining the health of both thick and thin strands as it keeps the hair strong and prevents brittleness. (2)
Olive oil has a much thicker viscosity and consistency. For these reasons, it can weigh down fine hair and thus is recommended for use on only coarse hair.
3. Hair damage
Hair damage can occur because of many different reasons including UV rays, chemical treatments, and heat styling. Both olive oil and coconut oil can be extraordinary in promoting the health of damaged hair.
Because of coconut oil’s property that prevents protein loss from the hair, it can be incredibly good for people with damaged hair. (3)(4)
At the same time, olive oil has been a go-to and effective product for people who suffer from issues such as hair brittleness and hair fall, according to anecdotal evidence. (5)
Thus, both these oils can help fix hair damage, and you can choose the one that works best for you.
4. Dandruff problems
There is no questioning the remarkable effects of coconut oil on keeping dandruff away from the scalp.
This oil has the ability to promote the growth of good bacteria and fungi such as Cutibacterium acnes and Malassezia globosa while eliminating the harmful ones from the scalp that cause problems such as dandruff.
This scalp microbiome-maintaining property of coconut oil makes it a very good option for anyone who suffers from dandruff. (6)
5. Hair loss
Olive oil is a famous oil when it comes to remedying hair loss. (5)
Although there is a lack of studies or research that supports the role of olive oil in hair loss, experts do suggest the use of this oil for the prevention of hair shedding and for supporting hair regrowth. (7)
6. Psoriasis
Psoriasis, an inflammatory disease of the scalp, is quite common. This hair issue causes very painful and itchy patches to form on the skin that hinder hair growth and compromise hair health.
Since olive oil has amazing anti-inflammatory properties, it can help treat psoriasis. Even scientists have used olive oil as a supplement treatment for managing psoriasis. (7)
7. Hair color protection
If you are observing that your hair color is fading and you do not want to lose your natural hair color, start using coconut oil. According to a research article, coconut oil can be great for ensuring that your hair color remains intact. (8)
8. Hair porosity
If you have low-porosity hair and struggle with finding products that can be absorbed by your hair, coconut oil is your friend.
Having low-porosity hair means having cuticles that are tightly bound together with no space for the product to move into your shaft. The good news is the simple structure of coconut oil allows it to be absorbed by low-porosity hair. (1)
Most-Asked Questions
How much oil should I use on my hair?
Using around three squirts of hair oil, depending on your hair length and thickness, is good enough.
How many times should I perform hair oiling?
Oil your hair once or twice a week.
Do I oil dry or wet hair?
You can use oil on dry hair for nourishment and moisturization, while oiling wet hair can help in detangling.
Final Word
Choosing between coconut oil and olive oil is not a simple decision. The choice is based on several factors, from hair goals and hair type to hair care requirements. By considering these factors, you can determine what oil works best for you or if you could use both oils alternatively.
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